Friday, December 6, 2013

Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog Hop

As part of the combined story/blog hop event – you are invited to take part in a giveaway by entering the Rafflecopter near the bottom of the page, commenting on the blog itself, or sending me a message on Facebook.

As I mentioned previously, my contribution is a little piece of Flash Fiction, and the events upon which this short story is
based are rather personal.

In the first instance, it relates to a near-miss I experienced while serving in the British Military. Our
training methods were extremely hazardous, and I’ll never forget the feeling of
one of the spring-loaded cam (The bits and pieces mountaineers use to fasten
themselves to strategic places along the mountain) suddenly coming away from
the rock face. But I was fortunate. I was securely fastened to the wall at other
points by properly positioned nuts and cams. So I only dropped a little
way

Sadly, years later, some friends of mine were not so lucky.We sometimes forget. The events
we read in fiction can be based on what’s actually happened in someone else’s
life. Needless to say, this story is dedicated to their memory.

*******

Muscles screaming, body slick with sweat, I
pushed myself past all previous limits. The fruition of five hours of intense,
strenuous labor was now within sight and I wasn’t about to let up for anything.
I’ll not be denied my prize.

At 18,360 feet, Shanzidou is the highest peak
in the Lijiang province of China. A pinnacle I had never conquered. Jade Dragon they called her, and she had
been on my list for some time. A granite fist of treacherous arêtes and
unforgiving escarpments. But now she was mine.

Every winter, I would treat myself to a special
excursion. Selecting the highest example from one particular mountain range, I
would then attempt to scale it. I’d put this particular gem off for a number of
years, as obtaining the permits had been a long, drawn out affair. But only two
months ago permission had been given, and now, the hoary crown of Shanzidou’s summit
lay within my grasp. In fact, it was so close, I felt as if all I had to do was reach
out and touch it.

Confident of victory, I buried my axe deep
into the ice and continued the climb. Glittering cruelly, diamond edged shards
spat back in defiance, scoring my face afresh in a network of lacerations and
blood The wind howled in support, adding its strength to the distractions
threatening to strip me from the sanctuary of my fragile perch. To no avail.

I laughed like a maniac, and my peals of delight
echoed off into the star-spangled void. Do
your worst, nothing will stop me now.

Leaning away from the rock face, I turned
to savor the panorama. It was well past midnight on Christmas Eve, and the glow
of a full moon cast an effervescent flush through the vault of the heavens and across
the majestic landscape below me. By its light, the tapestry of the valley was veiled
in a patchwork of mystery and suspense.

I inhaled deeply. The sting of vibrant,
clean air electrified my nostrils, and every breath I took set my nerves on
fire. Now, this is what life is all
about.

But it wasn’t time to relax. Not yet. Not with the end so close.

Invigorated, I returned to my task like a
man renewed, satisfied that this experience would be one I’d treasure forever.
Driving powerfully into the petrified colossus before me, I exulted in imminent
victory.

A sudden bang froze me on the spot. The retort was followed by a prolonged
splintering sound as a fracture began to etch its way across the crystal sheen
of the ice face. Tremors worried my fingertips and toes. Teasing themselves
into the marrow of my bones, they heralded impending terror and death. I held
my breath, but gradually, they faded to nothing.

A huge sigh of relief whistled its way
between my teeth. Shifting my weight, I was about to take another swing with my
pick when a loud groan reverberated
into the ether. Moments later, the silence of the night was ruptured
by an even louder crack, like the
sound of jaws snapping shut. Unbelievably, I began to move, and in seconds
found myself within a chiming, tinkling, cascade of refracted splendor. Glancing
down, I began to scream, helpless to prevent my headlong rush toward oblivion.

*******

There you go - I hope you enjoyed that little bit of flash-fiction.

Now to the prize for this particular blog...

As you can see, the prize involves either a hardback or
eBook version of Guardian Angels – Book 1 of the Guardian Series – together
with an Ice Dragon Pendant. This contest will run until
December 13th, And I’ll announce the Winner over the weekend
starting Friday 15th.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog Hop

Beginning
12/6/13, the authors at Pagan Writers Press are putting together a holiday blog
hop and we want YOU to join us! If you are an author or a book blogger, sign to
to join us for the fun. Here are the guidelines:

Theme:
Your blog post can be about winter holidays, winter memories, the season
of winter. What is your favorite memory of winter? Does the season
inspire you to write? You can write about the solstice, about any
winter holidays, about the snow or the season, about your
characters experiences of the season, flash fiction or an excerpt dealing
with winter or the holidays.

Blog Hop Rules:

1.You must write about the theme.

2.Giveaway a prize on your blog.

3.Include the Linky (Shown below) so that viewers can hop
to other blogs.

4.Ensure to add information about your book/buy links at
the end of the blog post.

Authors/bloggers
are responsible for giving away their own prizes. You can use comments,
rafflecopter, random.org, or something else.

To sign up,
just fill out the linky located here and make sure
your post is live on 12/6/13.

Look out for my blog on the day (Friday 6th) as it will contain my own links and participation details.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Bring Your Imagination to Life

I was struck by several comments in a number of film reviews/previews I read over the past week or two about well known novels or short stories that have made it onto the big screen. (Or little screen come to that.) The Hunger Games - Catching Fire / The Hobbit / Game of Thrones, to name a few.

Some of the reviewers were keen book readers, and made the comment that while they thoroughly enjoyed what they had seen, the celluloid versions had a long way to go to capture the mood and intensity of the books themselves. I've got to say, I thought they made a really good point.

I'm an avid reader too, and have read all of the books incorporation the above mentioned sagas. I remember watching The Hunger Games and felt exactly the same thing. Don't get me wrong, I loved the film. But I do remember thinking, what a shame they missed the oppressive weight of subjugation the book manages to convey, and how life in the districts is sheer drudgery. It adds weight to the travesty and injustice behind the spirit of the Games - ie - to keep a broken people down. It helps you understand the story (and what you subsequently see on the screen) at a deeper level, so you can relate to the characters much more personally.

Then it made me realize what a responsibility we have as a writers.

We pour our heart and soul into our projects don't we? But in our urgency to get our thoughts down onto paper, do we ensure not to rush too much? Do we safeguard the integrity of our story by taking the time to give it a structured history and a texture that makes it believable? To add a depth and weight to the plot that makes it worth others considering it?

Yes - do we breath real life into our imagination so it does more than blandly run along the cold line of a page. When others read our work, have we helped them envisage something like this could easily jump out and grab them?

Do we show - not tell?

We each have our own voice, our own style when it comes to writing. But those reviewers helped reinforce how essential it is for me to draw people into the worlds I create, so they become personally involved in the lives and events depicted within the pages. I want people to read my books and spit with rage, curse with frustration, cry out with satisfaction.

I won't be able to do that, unless I make every effort to bring my imagination to life...and make it real.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Guardians Release

Hi everyone.

Although belated due to interruptions by severe thunderstorms, I'm proud to announce that book 2 in the Guardian Series - cunningly entitled Guardians - has been released and is now available for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other outlets, for purchase in paperback and ebook formats.

Please follow the link on the right-hand column (Within the book cover pic) to find out more details.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Poetry Acceptance

Leaves of Ink

Hi Everyone.

I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to share some great news.

I was contacted today by E.S. Wynn, Editor in Chief for Leaves of Ink, (and a number of other reputable poetry/art/fiction presses), to be informed of the fact that a poem I submitted to them recently...

Summer Canvas

was accepted, and will be appearing on the front page of Leaves of Ink on January 10th 2014.

Needless to say, I am delighted that my New Year will start in such a way, and am fighting the urge to wax lyrical as I type.

The Bestseller Rulebook

Over the past several weeks, I've noticed a few magazines expressing their opinions - (And their readers opinions) - on what makes a best seller. Obviously, I was intrigued.

As fellow authors will know, it takes a great deal of hard work and dedication to produce a short story, let alone a novel, or a series. So, what sure-fire ingredients do the "experts" say we ought to make sure we include in our fledgling babies?

You might find some of them surprising.

Here goes:

Make your main character's life hard

It's no fun having someone who has the world at their feet. Readers want turmoil. Do they have enemies to defeat? Do they need to protect their families in some way? Is there a threat that everything they have could be taken away? If they have a love life, make it gritty.

Have you noticed how this point is reflected in some of the things on TV recently? The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, 24, Game of Thrones, Homeland.

Have real Supporting characters

Just because they're not the hero or heroine, doesn't mean to say a member of the supporting cast can't be complex. Make them just as realistic, multifaceted, intelligent or devious as your main character. It'll add a depth to your work that will make it much more believable.

Build them a world

I've mentioned this before. How much effort do you expend in world building? Where does the story take place? When? How did they get to where they are now? What's the history and development behind this fictional person/place and where are they going? The more detail, the clearer the ring of fictional truth with sound through.

For example...

Do you know, only two of my readers have actually asked my why Lei Yeung, (A character from the Guardian Series), has a Chinese name? Why has he lived most of his life in Japan, and become the boss of a Japanese crime syndicate when the two cultures hate each other?Aha! Well spotted Jon and Simon...but you'll have to wait a while for things to be explained.

(You'll see...follow the breadcrumbs).

Add a mystery

Who is John Snow's mother? What is the island? Who shot J.R.? Will we ever see the second series of Caprica?Just what is Victoria's Secret?

Mystery adds a narrative arc to the plot and allows you to drop all sorts of clues and red herrings. It's a great tool, so long as you help unravel the mystery as the story evolves.

Kill off characters

The best stories are the ones that subvert your expectations. When I read Game of Thrones, I was itching for Ned Stark to expose the snotty little *#%8 (Joffrey) for what he was and depose of the Lannisters. Ouch! Was I wrong. I won't say any more, as the TV series is nowhere near as developed as the books and I don't want to spoil the surprises. But seriously - wow! If you can make your reader spit with indignation, you've won. You've made them care for your character. Nice one :)

Sex

If you're going to include sex, make sure the intensity, heat rating, and frequency match the actual plot line perfectly. For goodness sake, don't just chuck it in there to pad out the story. Our readers aren't idiots. They will immediately spot something that doesn't fit. So ensure it does.

A good sex scene can really make/break the story's credibility.

Ohm Ohm on the range

A good dreamsequence, dream-quest, or drugs high, etc,

can allow you to take your character where they wouldn't otherwise be able to go. It can add depth/history to the character themselves, or the plot, and allow you to include essential history that would otherwise be missed. So, don't be afraid to add surrealism.

Have an endgame

This is why I spend so much time planning a project before I actually start writing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rigid. I allow things to flow as I'm writing, because very often, great ideas and twists come to me as I'm going along. But, I know how my story will begin. I know the ports it has to call in at on the way, and I know how it's going to end. Having an endgame can allow all sorts of machinations and subplots to simmer away as you go along. Then, at the grand revelation, when you pull all the threads together...pow! What an impact.

**********

Well, there you go.

I thought some of the ideas were rather intriguing, especially when it came to making our characters happy. Life isn't always like that, and evidently, our public want to see that reflected in the stories they read.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Inspiration

Many people have a hard time finding it. I don't know, I must be lucky. But then again, just look at what I find every time I open the front door! (And this is from the past week)

﻿

They say a picture paints a thousands words.To keep things simple, I just use what's around me every day to stimulate my creativity.

Now, I know not everybody will have views like mine. Nevertheless - you can be observant.

Use what you find around you every day to motivate yourself. Put something down. No, it doesn't have to be an epic. Sometimes it might be a simple phrase that springs to mind, or a word. But use it. Record it, and allow it to grow into something magical.

After all, if I can find examples like these in just one week, just imagine what you can find by looking every day?

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Free Your Mind

Last time, I chatted about how I'm managing to keep things fresh and bursting the bubble of complacency to avoid stagnancy in my work.

Today, I thought I'd concentrate on one surprising area that has really helped my imagination to soar free...poetry.

Yes, I said poetry.

I've been interested in verse for quite a few years. From an early age, I would get friends to pick a subject, and within seconds, I'd be able to come up with a witty little limerick that would make them laugh. When I studied English at school and college, it was one of my favourite subjects. I still remember the titles we studied as part of our A levels.

Dooley is a traitor by James Milne, Macavity the Mystery Cat by T.S. Elliot, and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge being my favourites. I can almost recite them from memory, even now.

Looking back, however, I can see how my views were coloured by what I studied. And no matter how hard I think, I cannot recall a single one that didn't rhyme. So of course, to me, rhyming verse was natural. Anything else...well, it wasn't poetry.

How my view has changed.

As I mentioned previously, earlier on in the year, I really submerged myself into this medium once more, and now have more than seventy poems recorded and listed. And the number is growing. And do you know what? I'm shocked to see how the vast majority of them are free form and free verse. And I especially love Haiku.

Why?

Because I've discovered this form of poetry really stimulates my thinking process. It's almost as if I'm living a waking dream and have the opportunity to write about anything. So I do...

Things that are happening in the news. Life, death, and tragedy. Happiness, joy and loss. How I'm feeling, what I'd like to do. Animals, plants, festivals. Pop singers, politicians, and characters from history. Fantasy and science. Anything and everything.

And having managed to write it all down, I was amazed how poetry refined my focus in relation to flash fiction and short stories. Good examples of this medium are difficult to find. Your language has to be concise, the expressions pithy. The word pictures you paint have to be full of colour and expressive. So I was inspired to try my hand in this area too. And I'm delighted to say it's producing results.

So, if you'd like to boost your writing...Free your mind. Try poetry. Have a stab at flash fiction and ultra short stories. Give the worlds you create the teeth to bite back. You'll be delighted by what it does to your craft.

Do you Fear What's Coming?

Monday, September 30, 2013

Burst the Bubble

Recently, I've been thinking about what I could do to help me keep things fresh. To burst that bubble of rigidity that threatens to encompass us all, so I could keep myself stimulated enough to constantly visualize new ideas.

Then I had an idea!

There are a lot of science fiction/fantasy magazines on the market nowadays. They cater to all sorts of tastes and niche markets.

Why not take a look at some of the more upbeat, quality examples, (Strange Horizons, Clarkesworld, Kasma, Analogue, Daily Science Fiction, Space & Time, Not One of Us...to name a few), to see what they are focusing on at the moment?

As you might imagine, the diversity is enormous.

But I spotted something interesting.

Quite a number of them incorporate short stories, flash fiction, and poetry into their respective formulas.

So it got me thinking.

When we write novels﻿, we have a great deal of 'space' in which to incorporate our theme. In some ways, we can liken our endeavours to a meal. A starter or beginning. The main course in the middle. And a dessert at the end.

With a short story, poetry - and all the more so with flash fiction, you have to compress those elements into smaller portions.

Like a mezze!

It really stimulates the thinking process. Especially when you add the 'speculative' element that everyone is so keen on.

What do I mean by speculative?

Well, it's a story that contains elements that aren't restricted solely to 'plain old sci-fi'.

Think of stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, think Twilight Zone, and you'll be on the right track.

Perhaps the easiest way to describe speculative fiction is...

Have you ever read a story that was weird, amazing, twisted or fantastical?

...but it wasn't classed as science fiction or fantasy or even horror?

THAT's speculative fiction.

So, lately, I've been giving these elements a go. In short stories, with poetry, by snaps of flash fiction.It's made me better appreciate the crucial ingredients we need to consider when we prepare 'meals' for our audience to digest.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Have You Seen This?

Like many people, I'm having a busy time at the moment. Writing, editing, trying to keep up with blogs and so forth.

Although I've not been able to do a very good job of keeping up with things, I have managed to keep abreast of some of the latest developments going on around us. As many of you know, I love science, and astronomy in particular.

My sidebar - Breaking News - tab has an article on it stating that Voyager has left the solar system.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Heart of the Storm Giveaway

Congratulations!

Rafflecopter selected our second prize winner of a copy of the story itself as:

Entrant #14 - Sharon D

Well done Sharon. Thank you for entering the competition.

I will be contacting you today

The 1st place winner of both the story AND this fine Viking Nordic Trefot Pendant is:
﻿

Entrant #13 - Denise Z

Again - Congratulations Denise, and thank you so much for entering.

If you missed out this time, don't worry. Not only do I hold regular Giveaway competitions, but soon, Ishtar Press will be announcing details of a Grand Giveaway, regarding all of the stories to appear inFor the Love of the Gods anthology. So - keep your eyes peeled for that :)

For now - take care - And Denise, Sharon, you'll probably see your emails before you see this!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Learning Curve.

This time around, I thought I’d share
some of my experiences regarding the learning curve I continue to navigate as a
new author.

I say continue, because I’m always finding new areas I need to look at or
improve on. Take my personal experience as an example.

Like many new/aspiring authors, as I
wrote my first ever novel, I began approaching literary agents. Many well
established agencies simply won’t consider new writers...Unless you have a
friend in the know. Of course, this means you can’t get a look-in at the larger
publishing houses, who won’t view you as a viable prospect without the
mandatory agent behind you.

Catch twenty-two? Well, not if you try
hard, direct your focus and concentrate on the up and coming smaller publishing
houses who are concentrating on gathering a quality author base. That’s what I
managed to do when I discovered Pagan Writers Press.

But, managing to secure a contract and
getting a book published is only part of the hurdle you need to overcome.
Remember, other new writers will have managed to follow the course you did, and
will also be publishing their books. This means thousands of new books–yes,
literally thousands–will be hitting the shelves at the same time as yours. And
you won’t have the backup provider by those larger – traditional – agencies.

We’re talking about marketing, promotions,
connectivity, review and distribution, etc. Things I’m still trying to get to
grips with. Like many of you, I still work. Time is limited. I have a family, a
new novel to write, other commitments. The list can be endless. So what can you
do?

Well, it was only recently I started to
sit back a little and decide not to panic. I am limited in the amount of
experience I have in these areas. But others aren’t. It’s their business to establish connectivity with the market for
you.

So I thought...why don’t I research a
few of them and give them a go. What can they do for me as a new author? How
can they maximise the potential of my books and raise their profile? How can
they direct someone who is searching for a good read to my little work of art
above all the others out there?

We shall see...

I’ll keep you posted as to what the
company I selected actually does, and if their strategies are effective.

While I was looking into publicists, I
had another idea. What can I do to make my name stand out more? The answer was obvious.
Diversify? Show an interest in other things that do a lot of the work for you.

As some of you know, I love astronomy and
have qualifications in that discipline. So I thought, why not do something in that area that, 1. Not
only helps others, but, 2. Puts my name out there through an additional medium.
So I did.

I’ve discovered that additional traffic comes my way as an author
because of the work I do through this other–related–outlet. Fantastic!

Another thing I realized is that it’s
good to be friendly. What I mean is, we lesser known authors have to do a great
deal of self publicity. It’s unavoidable. Hopefully, my new experiment will
free me from this a little and help me to make a presence among my genre
groups. (In my case, Sci-Fi – Fantasy – Paranormal).

I’ve got to say, it’s great fun joining
in with other like-minded enthusiasts and just waiting for the penny to drop
that I am, in fact, a contracted author. The interest it generates is amazing, and leads to
a natural domino effect.

Finally, I remembered another avenue I
enjoy that might also help me establish a presence. Poetry.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t stagger
round mooning at flowers and clouds all day dreaming up intricate sonnets that
wax lyrical...(I’m doing it now aren’t I?)...about the virtues of painted
prose. I just happen to love poetry, and have a knack for getting ideas down on
paper.

So, over the last six months, I’ve been
putting a few things together, and trying my hand at this wonderfully expressive
form of writing.

I’ll let you know how that goes too.

I think, what I’m trying to say is...

Think about what you CAN do, not what you can’t. Maximise the
efficiency of what you have, and put it to the best use. I’m starting to try
that now. And although it’s hard not to worry, I’m enjoying myself more, and
feeling less stressed.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Heart of the Storm Mini Prize Giveaway

As you know, Heart of the Storm is one of a number of magical stories that will form part of the For the Love of the Gods anthology, soon to be released by Ishtar Press.

Here's the blurb:

Love has eluded
James Foster for many years. But that’s not surprising, for his work as a
marine geologist regularly takes him around the world. A highly principled man,
he is passionate for the truth and for the environment, but such endeavors
leave little time for a private life.

After blowing the whistle on his former employer’s outrageous work practices,
which would have endangered the staff and the ecosystem they were operating in,
James finds himself without a job and with his reputation in tatters. Forced
into isolation, he is hounded by his former employer and the press....

His passion for what is right draws the attention of a mysterious woman.
Someone—it appears—with her own agenda!

Will she help him survive the coming storm or ensure he goes under?

In honor of the fact that this is the first time I've ever qualified to appear in an anthology, I thought it would be a nice idea to hold a little mini prize giveaway.

Without giving anything of the plot away, my story has a Norse God/Goddess flavour to it, but in a modern-day setting. So, I thought it might be nice for the mini prizes to reflect that.

And yes - I said prizes. Because there will be two!

Second place will receive a copy of the eBook itself.

But

The first place prize winner won't just receive an eBook, they'll also receive this stunning Viking Nordic Trefot Pendant too!

I hope you like it

If you want a chance to win this little prize, just enter the Rafflecopter below:

My latest Blog for Astronaut.com

My Latest Blog For Amazing Stories

The World of The IX Series

About Me

I am a Royal Marine and Police veteran from the UK who now lives on the beautiful Greek island of Kos with my wife, Annette, and our growing family of rescue cats.
As creator of the critically acclaimed IX Series, and Hell Bound & Hell Hounds, (novels forming part of Janet Morris' Heroes in Hell universe), I also have the privilege of being a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the British Fantasy Society, and the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers.
When not working, I devote some of my spare time to assisting NASA with one of their remote research projects, and supporting charities. I also write educational articles for Astronaut.com and Amazing Stories.
On weekends, you might also find me drinking Earl Grey Tea whilst dressed as Captain Jean Luc Picard.
Make it so...
If you would like to find out more, just follow the links at the top of the page.

The Future of Science Fiction

The IX Series

The Senate & The People of Rome

The IX

International #1 Bestseller

The IX

The IX, an epic novel spanning past, present, and future:The ultimatum:Fight or die.Roman legionnaires, far from home, lost in the mists of Caledonia; a US cavalry company on a special mission for Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln; and a Special Forces unit from the 21st century, desperate to prevent nuclear catastrophe:Snatched away from Earth at the moment of death to a failing planet far away, these misfit soldiers must unite against a relentless foe, where the cost of victory may be more than they're willing to pay. How far will they go to stay alive?From Perseid Press.

Exordium of Tears

Book 2 of The IX Series

Exordium of Tears

Fight or die.That simple yet brutal reality is the tenet by which the refugees from Earth – including the fabled lost 9th Legion of Rome; the 5th Company, 2nd Mounted Cavalry Unit; and the Special Forces Anti-Terrorist Team – were forced to live by while the Horde menace existed. Believing that the threat is over, thesurvivors now yearn to settle down, start families, and reclaim the lives stolen from them.But such aspirations might remain beyond their reach, for a shadow looms on the rose-tinted horizon of new beginnings.The release of the re-genesis matrix has done much to foster a restoration of exuberance across Arden. Along with a resurgence in floral and faunal diversity comes the results of splicing the Ardenese and human genomes: transmutation. Ametamorphosis of stunning magnitude that not only affects the living, but those still is stasis as well.Recognizing the emergence of a new hybrid species, the Architect – the arcane AI construct tasked with the preservation of the Ardenese race – responds by unlockingpreviously hidden and inaccessible areas of the city. It also releases an archive of sealed state secrets. Such revelations are eagerly perused, whereupon a shocking discovery is made.Prior to the fall, it was common knowledge amongst the Senatum (the highest levels of Arden’s government) that not all the rabid Horde had joined in the rampage across the stars toward Arden.Realizing that the peril still exists, the newly reformed administration elects to respond in earnest. Existing resources are utilized, suitable candidates are chosen, and a flotilla of ships is sent out to secure, quarantine, and reclaim the outer colonies. A mammoth and hazardous undertaking. And nowhere more so than at the planet from where the outbreak was known to have originated – Exordium – for there, the ancient Horde are not only supremely evolved and highly organized, but are capable of a level of lethal sophistication, the likes of which has never been witnessed before.It is into this kiln of incendiary potential that the cream of Arden’s fighting forces is deployed.Worlds are torn asunder, suns destroyed, and star systems obliterated. Yes, tragedy is forged, in a universe spanning conflict which proves once again that…

Death is onlythe beginning of the adventure.

Prelude to Sorrow

The IX Series

Prelude to Sorrow

The task force dispatched from Arden to eradicate the Horde menace failed, and for those few left alive, the tenet by which they have survived for so long resounds as never before.

Fight or Die!

Now marooned, out of time and out of place, the survivors lick their wounds and struggle to recover while the Horde gather their strength for a final strike that will change the course of history forever. The fate of the galaxy – and more – hangs in the balance.

But fate, it seems, isn’t done with the Ninth, and our heroes find themselves forced to mount a last-ditch attempt to end the threat once and for all.

Will the darkness be vanquished, or will our heroes’ efforts finally signal the beginning of the end of their adventure?

The Glorious Ninth

Fight or Die!

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Condensed insanity for your pleasure

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Fire Asylum Business

Fire Asylum Admissions

Welcome to the Fire Asylum. This is truly a safe place for what the world contends is insane behavior. The activities here are specifically designed with the firefighter in mind. Your training here, or treatment, may seem tough and challenging. Remember that it is for your own good. Here are a few words from our director of activities to inspire your stay.

"In our silent crucible, we are tested by fire. In that place where life can and does change forever, peace is given like a gift to the ones who have endured."

Hell Bound

International #1 Bestseller

Hell Bound

In hell, none of the condemned believes they deserve to be there. And that’s fine, so long as they’re not foolish enough to try and do anything about it. For those that do, there’s always Satan’s Reaper–and chief bounty hunter–Daemon Grim.Feared throughout the many layers of the underverse, no one in their right mind dares to cross him.However, when Grim discovers that someone has attempted to evade injustice, and seems hell-bent on gaining access to ancient angelic artifacts proscribed since the time of the original rebellion in heaven, circumstances point to the fact they may be doing just that.The question is...why?Thus begins an investigation that leads Grim throughout the many contradictory and baffling levels of the underworld, where he unearths a conspiracy that is not only eating its way like a cancer through the highest echelons of Hellion society,but one which threatens the very stability of Satan’s rule.

As you can imagine, Grim’s response is bloody, brutal, and despicably wicked.

Pieces of Hate******************It's sink or swim in this swashbuckling adventure where Daemon Grim, Satan's Reaper, is sent on a quest to recover booty of great value to His Infernal Majesty.But what lurks at the center of Skull Island? Is it truly treasure, or will there be fools gold aplenty in a tale that proves once and for all that, when it comes to burying something in your chest, blood money is the only currency the Reaper recognizes.

Hell Hounds

Coming October 31st

Hell Hounds

Feared throughout the many circles of the underworld, Satan’s Reaper – and chief bounty hunter – Daemon Grim, is known as a true force to be reckoned with.

Having eliminated a major player in the uprising eating its way like a cancer through the underbelly of hell, Grim is stunned to discover he cannot afford to rest on his laurels, for the rebellion runs far deeper than was ever imagined. New players have emerged – denizens with uncanny abilities – who seem determined to support Chopin and Tesla’s revolutionary agenda.

Ever keen to test their mettle, the Sibitti – personified weapons of the ancient Babylonian plague god, Erra – also appear eager to capitalize on the growing unrest, and set about maneuvering events in order to place themselves in direct opposition to Grim’s investigation.

And if that was not cause for concern enough, there’s an insane angel on the loose, a creature as hell-bent on creating havoc as he is to return home.

How do Grim and his rabid pack of bounty hunters respond?

Baying for blood – doesn’t even begin to describe it.

The Perseid Press

Black Gate Fantasy

Amazing Stories

Watch out Hugo Awards - the best 'Fanzine' in the world is back. There's a new 'old' kid on the block

Other Works

You can find more of my work in the following magazines or publications.